For Immediate Release

Contact:
Eric Rose (805) 624-0572 or
Ryan Oliver (310) 854-8272

Los Angeles, February 19, 2009 – The Los Angeles Police Protective League filed a claim for damages today with the City of Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Police Commission after their actions exposed the confidential personnel information of LAPD officers investigated for and subsequently cleared of racial profiling in 2008.

On February 6, the names and personal information of officers investigated by the Department for racial profiling/bias complaints in 2008 were released to the Office of the Board of Police Commissioners, which disseminated the information to nearly 400 subscribers – including the news media – on the Commission’s early notification system. The information was also posted on the official websites of the City and the Department.

“This is bureaucratic incompetence at its most dangerous,” said League President Paul M. Weber. “Law enforcement leaders in California for years have talked about the danger to officers’ lives and careers posed by publicizing their personal information. It absolutely boggles the mind to see the Police Commission itself go and negligently release this.”

The claim by the League asserts that the unlawful disclosure by city representatives and the commission created serious damage to the affected officers, including humiliation and reputational injury.

The 19-page PDF submitted by the Chief of Police’s office to the Police Commission shows the names, ages, serial numbers, race and gender of the accused officers. It also reveals the names and personal data of the complainant, the nature of the allegation, and disposition of the case.

The League worked to ensure the Police Commission removed the information as soon as possible. The League has expressed its grave concern over the release of confidential information, as well as concern about the Department’s lack of communication with the League and its members in the immediate wake of the release.

“Although the Commission announced an internal review to ascertain what went wrong and prevent it in the future, the League has argued for a more expansive review. There are too many other potential areas in the Department where a similar or potentially worse breach of privacy could occur. The review needs to start at the Police Commission and go down throughout the organization,” concluded Weber.

About the LAPPL Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL)represents the more than 9,000 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. TheLAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action andeducation. The LAPPL can be found on the Web attitle="www.LAPD.com">www.LAPD.com